The Standards Council of Canada (SCC) was pleased to welcome representatives from China’s General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) to discuss how ongoing cooperation on standardization between Canada and China can help to facilitate bilateral trade. During the meeting, SCC also introduced senior AQSIQ officials to representatives from Canada’s Department of Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED). ISED and AQSIQ are the government departments responsible for overseeing standardization activities in their respective countries.
As both Canada and China seek to increase their presence in international standardization, SCC is engaging with Chinese standardization bodies in order to ensure that Canada and China cooperate on standardization matters of joint interest. SCC recently strengthened ties with two Chinese standardization bodies, the Standards Administration of China (SAC) and the Certification and Accreditation Administration of China (CNCA). Additionally, SCC CEO John Walter serves as an advisor to the China Standardization Expert Committee (CSEC), which is the main advisory body to SAC on the development of China’s major policies on standardization and its participation in international standardization activities. Further cooperation in standardization can help to reduce technical barriers to trade between the two countries.
In the meeting between SCC and AQSIQ, it was agreed that SCC will continue to leverage its Cooperation Agreement with SAC to work together to develop international standards in innovative sectors, where feasible. This cooperation is especially important as the trade relationship between Canada and China continues to grow.
Through ongoing engagement with Chinese standardization bodies, SCC is supporting government priorities to diversify Canada’s trade portfolio and set the stage for Canada’s long-term economic growth.
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“SCC was pleased to meet with senior officials from AQSIQ, and is committed to continuing to develop our relationship with SAC and CNCA. This vital work is part of our support for Canadian trade priorities in order to increase trade and opportunities for Canadian businesses.”
John Walter, SCC CEO